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May 11, 2005
History in the News: Yalta and Indians
President Bush recent comments that the 1945 Yalta Treaty contributed to "one of the greatest wrongs of history" has riled up historians and bloggers alike.
But the Boston Globe reports an even more fascinating "history in the news" tidbit this morning. It turns out that a 1675 state law that bans Indians from entering Boston (unless they have the permission of the Governor) is still on the books. Because of that, a group of minority journalists (Unity: Journalists of Color) may not hold a convention here.
Dan Lewerenz, president of the Native American Journalists Association, says: "We know its not going to be enforced, but in theory, the police could arrest us when we arrive at the airport." There's a wild thought.
State reps are falling all over themselves to see if they can repeal the law before the jouarnlist�s group makes a final decision.
Here's the actual law:
"We find that still there still remains ground of Fear, that unless more effectual Care care be taken, we may be exposed to mischief by some of that Barbarous Crew, or any Strangers not of our Nation, by their coming into, or residing in the Town of Boston. . . . Secondly, That there be a Guard appointed at the end of the said Town towards Roxbury, to hinder the coming in of any Indian, until Application be first made to the Governor, or Council if fitting, and to be . . . remanded back with the same Guard, not to be suffered to lodge in Town, unless in Prison."
I wonder who dug this up: most likely someone with an interest in keeping the convention from coming to Boston.
"Barbarous Crew," by the way, is a great name for a rock band.
Posted by rickbeyer at May 11, 2005 08:50 AM
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